Stephen Ministry is appropriate for people experiencing any type of spiritual distress or life challenge including:
Learn more about Stephen Ministries
Stephen Ministry seeks to be a living presence of the caring Christ to our parish community. Stephen Ministry is a one-on-one listening ministry provided by trained caregivers who seek to bring Christ's healing love to all who are experiencing life's challenges.
St. Mary of Nazareth has been providing Stephen Ministry care to our parishioners since May, 2018. Stephen Ministers listen, care, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support to persons experiencing a crisis or facing life challenges. Stephen Ministry is provided free of charge. All contact with Stephen Ministers is held in the strictest of confidence.
We need your help in identifying a friend, neighbor, coworker, relative, or parish member who may be going through a difficult time and would benefit from the care of a Stephen Minister:
1. Express your care and concern in a way that feels natural to you. Then listen if the person wants to share.
2. Tell the person about Stephen Ministry, saying something like: “Our church has trained caregivers called Stephen Ministers who come alongside people during difficult times.” Print materials including brochures and flyers are available in the “Stephen Spot” in the gathering space. Feel free to share these materials with others.
3. Get permission to pass along the person's name and phone number: “I'd like to connect you with our Stephen Minister Coordinator. She can tell you more, answer your questions, and help decide whether Stephen Ministry is right for you. I think it would be good for you to talk to her. Can I have her give you a call? Our Stephen Ministers are well-trained caregivers who can really help.”
4. If the person agrees, get his or her phone number and pass the information along to the Stephen Ministry contact person (Ann McGonegle) without delay.
Stephen Ministers are laypeople—Catholic men and women—trained to provide one-to-one care to people experiencing a difficult time in life, such as grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, relocation, or separation.